Susan May's Blog: Susan May Official Website, page 2

Dreams are just muddy hard work!

Let's talk a little about dreams. I say this having just finished the first draft of Best Seller, the book I'd promised to have written and released in January 2017, and here it is August and I've just finished the first draft. What happened? Life! And the business of writing ... and life, life and more life. And I'd forgotten a few lessons I'd learned from writing the last book, like somewhere in each day I needed to turn up and keep writing that story. By the time I'd realized writing was just as important to my happiness as anything else in my life, six months had gone by. Once I reset, it only took a daily commitment of a few hours to finish the book in the following six weeks. There was also my foolish digression in using new technology when I was in the middle of writing the book. I started using dictation software, Dragon Dictation, which meant I would speak the first draft of the story instead of writing. Then there was novel-factory, online software for writing a story, which I took for a test run and got myself hopelessly muddled. It’s a very neat program, however using it for the first time in the middle of a first draft: Not a good idea.Then halfway through what was meant to be a short novel of around 200 pages, my husband suggested I add another character to break up the first few chapters he’d read. Well, that character took over. I could have killed her for doing this because she doubled the size of the book and complicated the story so much that near the end I wasn’t sure I could even finish. You'll have to read the book to know if I did kill her in the end. I share these thoughts because I know you are like me. You have a goal or a dream, maybe not to write a book but maybe it’s to learn a skill, travel, save for a home, something that’s important to you.  When you’re standing at the beginning of the journey it’s exciting and you have all the energy in the world. Most people can start anything. That’s the easy part.Somewhere in the middle is where things run aground, where you can’t see the end and the energy of the beginning has long been expended. Nobody is there to help you and you think maybe this is more than you can manage. You don’t have the skills. You’ve bitten off more than you can chew. You’re tired.We all arrive there at some point. Don’t think you are unique. I always say if a bunch of things go wrong, then you’re being tested as to whether you deserve the reward ahead. If you don’t keep going you don’t get that reward. So you must keep going. This is your destiny urging you on, not standing in your way. Whenever I became overwhelmed writing this book, I told myself, one word, one line, one paragraph, one page, one chapter. When I felt like I absolutely couldn’t go on, I told myself to just finish this chapter and then you can give up. Or take this day off and tomorrow you come back. You must come back! Whatever trick works, you do it.Sometimes it felt as though I was shoving the story along with brute force. And then miraculously the book was done. I remembered that last time when I did this amazing thing and finished a book when writing Troubles Keeper, it was just as hard but with different challenges.Achieving anything that takes a lengthy commitment is the mark of you. Just be ready for those moments that will come. You might see them as signposts saying “Quit” or “You’re no good.” They’re actually saying, “This is worthwhile,” and “Work those muscles. Look ahead. There’s sunshine.”Dreams really can come true but only for those who slosh in the mud, work until they drop, cry themselves to sleep but still keep going. Dreams are just dirtyhard work dressed up in fluffy clouds. But once you’re there and you clean off that dirt and get a good night’s sleep, my gosh, they sure are worth the journey.Until next time, remember when following a dream sometimes you'll end up in a dark tunnel, but somewhere ahead is a pinpoint of light. You just put one foot in front of the other, put your hands out and feel your way along the rough walls, and if you can borrow a torch, do that too. Whatever it takes to get there. Keep going.Thank you wonderful reader, for being part of my dream.

What's on at the movies August 3, 2017?

If you've just landed here and you are new to my reviews, remember to enter my competition to win a Kindle and a library of my books.Atomic Blonde ✪✪✪½Opened August 3Fresh from a successful chapter 2 of John Wick, director David Leitch jumps back into the action with a killer female gender spy swamp in Charlize Theron's portrayal of a top-level MI6 operative Lorraine Broughton. If you thought Scarlett Johansson's Avengers'Black Widow was kick-ass, she's a pussycat compared to Broughton.This film's success is in its relentless action sequences, of which a couple are probably the best I've seen in years. You can't help wonder as you watch if Charlize Theron sustained many injuries during the filming, or the stuntman for that matter. Turns out she cracked two teeth so badly she needed dental surgery, also she suffered a twisted knee, bruised ribs, and didn't stop filming in freezing cold Budapest while she had the flu.The story is told in flashback with a battered and bruised Broughton being debriefed. From the opening sequence the pace barely stops; only pausing briefly to return to Broughton's interrogation by her superiors before jumping back to Berlin, where clearly something went terribly wrong. What that was is the film's entire premise.There's also a killer eighties soundtrack, some nice work from Sofia Boutella (The Mummy), James McCoy, Bill Skarsgard, John Goodman and Toby Jones. However, the true stars are the stuntman and makeup artists.My only complaint is that so much focus was placed on the action and stunts that it was difficult to understand what was going on. Even in the end we are left a little confused. However this is a much better spy film than the last Bourne film, Jason Bourne, and the only okay Wanted and Salt.Those looking for an action packed thriller will revel in this film. Those looking for an original plot will probably be disappointed, but hey, I still had terrific fun and Theron has never looked more beautiful. She now wears the high heels of the most kick-ass character in film.Film BlurbA high-stakes, global action-thriller that takes place in the city of Berlin, on the eve of the Wall's collapse and the shifting of superpower alliances. Charlize Theron ("Mad Max: Fury Road") portrays Lorraine Broughton, a top-level spy for MI6, who is dispatched to Berlin to take down a ruthless espionage ring that has just killed an undercover agent for reasons unknown. She is ordered to cooperate with Berlin station chief David Percival (James McAvoy of "X-Men"), and the two form an uneasy alliance, unleashing their full arsenal of skills in pursuing a threat that jeopardizes the West's entire intelligence operation.The Big Sick  ✪✪ Opened August 3The Big Sick is advertised as a modern rom-com. I think if I'd gone along expecting a slice of life drama with a little humor thrown in I might have enjoyed this. However, I went expecting it to be funny and romantic and I get an unfunny comic courting a not particularly interesting woman, with drawn out monologues. Again not funny monologues. The audience around me didn't seem to laugh much either. This is based on a true story of the lead actor Najiani meeting his wife, which makes it difficult I imagine for him to decide what should stay and go. Cut thirty minutes from this and the entertainment level would have jumped for me. As it was, at about twenty minutes in I decided it was most unfunny, by the hour mark I was bored and I spent the last thirty minutes checking my watch.However, it's received rave reviews with most reviewers loving it. My friends thought it was okay but no love fest there either from them, so I can't help you with the decision here. I'm a slapstick comedy person really and Modern Family and early Adam Sandler are more my speed (blame growing up with the Three Stooges and Keystone Cops for my love for this kind of comedy). So intelligent comedies are probably just not my cup of tea.Film BlurbBased on the real-life courtship between Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, THE BIG SICK tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail (Nanjiani), who connects with grad student Emily (Kazan) after one of his standup sets. However, what they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing, which complicates the life that is expected of Kumail by his traditional Muslim parents. When Emily is beset with a mystery illness, it forces Kumail to navigate the medical crisis with her parents, Beth and Terry (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) who he's never met, while dealing with the emotional tug-of-war between his family and his heart. THE BIG SICK is directed by Michael Showalter (HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS) and producer by Judd Apatow (TRAINWRECK, THIS IS 40) and Barry Mendel (TRAINWRECK, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS).FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join.

What's on at the movies 27th July 2017?

We're back with what I hope is the final in the Planet of the Apes reboot. They're okay but lack imagination, although the motion capture finesse is mind-blowing. I didn't love the supposedly kiddies film A Monster Calls. I don't think the story called in an intersting enough way because my kids and their friends were bored.If you've just landed here and you are new to my reviews, remember to enter my competition to win a Kindle and a library of my books.War for the Planet of the Apes ✪✪✪  Opened July 271968 was the first Planet of the Apes film starring Charlton Heston. I think this film was one of my favorites as a kid. I saw it at the drive-in and I think seeing Charlton Heston, in the final scene on the beach, discover they were actually on Earth but in a transformed future, was when I fell in love with the twist in a story.The rest of the Planet of the Apes series in the seventies continued the entertaining idea and I can remember us marveling at how amazing that Roddy McDowall looked so much like an ape. Skip to 2001 briefly for a not so great reboot and there was nothing more from our hairy friends until 2011 when they rose again in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.Not bad, then came Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, not good, and those of us who still held a modicum of hope for the series were actually looking forward to this film. Again I'm there marveling at the technology of motion capture and Andy Serkis's incredible performance as Caesar. I did enjoy this to a degree but I was trying really hard to do so and I probably enjoyed the technology and concept more than the story. This is not a disaster but it's also not a triumph. If a little more thought had gone into the character arc of the humans (Woody Harrelson's leader of the soldiers is about as one-dimensional as you will get) then we might have had more to beat our chests about.  I keep coming back to Andy Serkis and his mesmerizing performance and I want to give this more than three stars but the more I think about the problems with the story and the convenient plot injections of unexplained illnesses, armies from nowhere and odd choices by main characters, the more disappointed I become. After all these remakes, the writers and director couldn't see further than bad monkeys, good monkeys, bad humans and one little girl who is a good human, who wasn't there for any reason other than she looks good on posters.I hope one day somebody will write a screenplay that's worthy of such a neat idea, which is becoming less science fiction and possibly a distant future with our messing around with genetics just because we can.STARS: ANDY SERKIS, WOODY HARRELSON, STEVE ZAHNFilm BlurbIn War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.A Monster Calls ✪✪Opened July 27I took along my two children and three other young teenagers. We were quite intrigued to see this. The trailers make it seem as though this a darker, edgier BFG for the big kids.Since this film is based on a best-selling middle-school book you would think it would understand its target market. The young ones like fast paced films that aren't too preachy. This delivers the opposite.I can see the problem clearly; the screenplay is written by the book's author Patrick Ness. He just couldn't bear to kill his darlings. Then throw in the director's take and we get double lashings of being beaten over the head with a big stick demanding we understand the lessons so carefully crafted in the book.There's also the manipulative tear-jerk factor that I despise in films, where the mother, sister, best friend, boyfriend, child is dying and we'll ring those tears out of you if it kills us. Just make the story entertaining and the character's real and, yes, we will cry for them. In this case, no, no matter how hard you try we are not going to empathize because we are falling asleep and wishing their deaths would hasten so we can leave.Oh and Sigourney Weave, who is usually so good, has the worst English accent, but Felicity Jones gives a good performance and Lewis MacDougall does well too for a young 'un. It's the director and screenwriter who seem to need their socks pulled up and shoelaces tied. Both of them seemed to want to put their stamp on the film and therefore, we have too much stamping going on and not enough progression of story.On the plus side, this is probably one of the most beautifully filmed films you'll see. You just need to stay awake.Film BlurbA visually spectacular drama from director J.A. Bayona ("The Impossible"). 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall), dealing with his mother's (Felicity Jones) illness, a less-than-sympathetic grandmother (Sigourney Weaver), and bullying classmates, finds a most unlikely ally when a Monster appears at his bedroom window. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth. Toby Kebbell plays Conor's father, and Liam Neeson stars in performance-capture and voiceover as the nocturnally visiting Monster of the title.FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join.

The argument for the argument!

On the way home from school yesterday, my son shared with me that one of his teachers insisted he search on the Encyclopedia Britannica website for information on volcanoes, instead of Google. "Google was unreliable," she said.In attempting to do as instructed, he couldn't find the information he needed on Britannica (amusingly he had no idea what Britannica actually was before the Web came into existence). When he showed the teacher he had found the correct information on Google and there was nothing on Britannica, without wading through masses of information, she demanded to know if he was arguing with her? According to my son, the teacher grew angry and insisted he use Britannica because she said so.I think there's a good lesson here in inter-generational politics.Whether he was right or wrong, if he questions authority politely then that's his job as the next generation, and bravo for him. His teacher should have recognized this. I want generation upon generation to question those who have gone before. This questioning is what has given us the world we have today. We praise all those challengers in history who have changed our world: Christopher Columbus, Charles Darwin, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Shakespeare, Joan of Arc, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, and the list goes on. Why not praise the current children of our generation?As a writer I question everything through my stories and characters. Can people who do the most unspeakable things be completely evil? Is there any circumstance where you will forgive the worst imaginable deed done to you by another? What would happen if we were faced with an impossible decision? Why would you help a complete stranger?Through writing I've learned that the world is gray; nothing is black or white. People are gray, and sometimes the wrong answers today are the correct answers tomorrow.Often I've thought we look for leaders in the wrong places within school systems and workplaces. We look for children and people who conform to the rules, who don't cause any trouble, who don't argue. The opportunity is sometimes missed then to nurture great spirit because I believe the leaders and advocates for tomorrow's greater world will come from those children who ask, "Why must I do it your way?" The children who attempt more, and fail even more times, are the ones to sometimes note. Here they grow their experience and learn. Failure has always been my greatest teacher and the mentor of every great explorer of the world and society.The word 'Why' is the most powerful agent of change? We should teach this and have the courage to use this simple word more often. I shall continue to teach my sons to question the world because I want them to contribute to the future in their own unique way. I believe this is probably one of the best lessons I can impart as a parent, even if sometimes it is my authority they challenge.We have no way of knowing if we are raising the next remarkable agent of change, do we? So we should think carefully before we answer the next time we're asked "Why?"FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join. 

What's on at the movies 13th July 2017?

One of my favorite films of the year opened today Baby Driver. When it's all about the music, how can you go wrong? And in the gothic noir film The Beguiled, one man who thinks he must have landed in heaven discovers you shouldn't play with more than one woman's affection. There will be blood!If you've just landed here and you are new to my reviews, remember to enter my competition to win a Kindle and a library of my books.Baby Driver ✪✪✪✪½  Opened July 11I have seen a lot of movies. My kids have seen a lot of movies and so has my husband, but nowhere near my 150 plus a year of course. Still they are a touch jaded after all these years, so it's usually me on my own at the cinema these days, hanging with my review pals. Me, I’ll watch anything because watching even a bad film affords me future reference on the director, cast, genre and sometimes sitting in a darkened cinema is a great way to catch some sleep. Look don’t hold that against me; some of these screenings are at 9am and the seats are comfy, the room is dark and you can't fight your body.Even though I try to watch a film like the average film-goer who may see a few movies a year, I’m usually going to notice if a film is derivative of some 1960’s classic sci-fi thriller, or a rip-off of a 1980’s comedy, or those frames and scenes are shot-for-shot from a prior classic. Sometimes I really wonder if the director has watched as many films as we reviewers because they seem to have learned little and continue throw up the same ‘ol same, ‘ol and then wonder why we pan them for being unoriginal.Did I think a film that wasn’t on my radar, or anyone else’s for that matter, with the weird name of Baby Driver and a kid in the lead I’d only seen in some pretty wimpy romance and sci-fi-fi films, would knock my weary socks off and become one of my faves this year? No, ladies and gentleman, I did not.Baby Driver is one original film, which took sixteen years to be made. Well worth the wait but what the heck is Hollywood thinking throwing five Transformers at us before making this one? The use of smart music placement as an extra character is genius and if you are not bopping along from the opening scene and digging this gem, then baby, you got no soul.The performances are spot on, if not a little hammy (including John Hamm, who does nice bad guy so well). Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx are just the bomb and look I know my lyrics here are not waxing so eloquently but truly this film has left me lost for superlatives.It’s a heist film, a love story, a coming of age and a darn good musical that isn’t a musical, and if that isn’t enough to encourage you to go see it, please just trust me and my seventeen-year-old son, who also agreed this is his favorite film this year. You will skip out the cinema door and all the way home because Baby Driver is original, fun and beautifully crafted. Above all, it’s entertaining from start to finish and that’s all we ask of a film.DIRECTED BY Edgar Wright, Stars Ansel Elfort, (Divergent, Fault in our Stars, Paper Towns) Kevin Spacey, Lily James (Cinderella), Jon Hamm, Jamie FoxxFilm BlurbA talented, young getaway driver (Ansel Elgort) relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.The Beguiled ✪✪✪½Opened 13th JulyThis gothic noir set in the American civil war period features a star-studded cast with Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Eklle Fanning and Australia’s star in the making  Angourie Rice and directed by Francis Ford Coppola's daughter Sofia Coppola. The story is a remake of the 1971 film of the same name starring Clint Eastwood. It could have gone one of two ways: dull and plodding or creepy, atmospheric, suck-you-in-slowly-and-churn-you-around-a-little. I’m pleased to report I was beguiled (excuse the pun) by The Beguiled. It’s not a big film, but is beautifully crafted by Coppela whom, like her father, has an eye for beautiful framing and characterization.This is a smaller film but smartly done and one of the few films in recent times where Nicole Kidman’s acting is not classic wooden, although, yes, she wasn't too bad in Lion. Small but packs a punch.  A cautionary warning that if you're the only man in a group of women, you'd better watch your back.Film Blurb"The Beguiled" is an atmospheric thriller from acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola. The story unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls' boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier. As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events. STARS: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunt, Elle Fanning, Oona Laurence, Angourie Rice.FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join.

What's on at the movies 6th July 2017?

For those who prefer to listen rather than read the reviews, here's the latest podcast for my film reviews.If you've just landed here and you are new to my reviews, remember to enter my competition to win a Kindle and my books.Spider-Man: Homecoming ✪✪✪✪ Opened July 4The Avengers films are not rocking my boat much these days. The jokes are getting a little old and where can they go with these things? There are only so many fight scenes you can watch. For me, they blur.Now we have a new entry (well, old is new again) into the franchise. Spider-Man. Now the last reboot was not great, starring Andrew Garfield, who replaced the very good Toby Maguire. The last film, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was one of the worst super hero films I've seen and most critics agreed. So I was expecting nothing from this third go at this character.But bravo Sony Pictures! They've really done a great job here making something fresh out of the franchise by integrating Spidey into the Marvel Avengers' world. Tom Holland is a worthy replacement of Andrew Garfield. The problem with Spider-Man is that he is a teenage boy, so the actors can't continue to portray him once they begin looking as though they need a good shave.  This has Michael Keaton and Marisa Tomei too. Need I say more? Who doesn't love Keaton as the bad guy, possibly channeling the Birdman from his Oscar-winning film of the same name (which incidentally is still one of my fave films).The fight scenes are spectacular, the jokes and laughs come all the way through and there is a story here that hasn't been told. The writing team are responsible for some of the more original comedies like Horrible Bosses, Vacation, and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, so they bring that comic timing to bear where necessary in this outing of our favorite neighborhood hero.A refreshing super-hero film with another scheduled for release in 2019. However, I see Spidey will reappear in 2018 Avengers: Infinity War.Loads of fun and suitable for all ages.  By the way, stay until the very last credit rolls as there are two bonus scenes. The last one is worthy of your five minute wait for the very last laugh of the film. Film BlurbA young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine--distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man--but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) starts playing in his neighbor hood Peter Parker sees the perfect chance to prove he should become part of the Avengers. Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Jon Favreau, Donald Glover with Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jnr.​It Comes at Night ✪✪✪ Opened 6th JulyThis is promoted as a horror film and the trailer leads you to believe this is more a creepy, ghost-in-the-house thriller than what it turns out top be. However, go in knowing this is a small post-apocalyptic film dealing with family and choices. I think they've limited mentioning that this is an end of the world thriller because most people, unless you are under twenty, are not interested in this genre.In saying that, this is an interesting take, which is more asking the question of the audience of 'What would you do?' to survive. Though I don't think this will be a huge crowd pleaser, it's a study for students of film in staging a piece in a confined space with only a few characters.Afterwards, even though I wasn't sure I enjoyed this, I did find myself thinking over the concept and musing on choices one would need to make if the world ended up in this dilemma. Let's hope it never does because these decisions are not ones this reviewer could ever contemplate. You will not come out of this film feeling happy and chipper, let me assure  you of that.Film BlurbSecure within a desolate home with his vigilant, protective and heavily armed parents (Joel Edgerton and Carmen Ejogo), 17-year-old Travis (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.) navigates fear, grief and paranoia amid scarce resources as a desperate young couple (Christopher Abbott and Riley Keough) seeks refuge in his family home with their young child. Despite the best intentions of both families, panic and mistrust boil over as the horrors of the outside world creep ever closer. But they are nothing compared to the horrors within, where Travis discovers that his father’s commitment to protecting the family may cost him his soul.FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join.

What's on at the movies 29th June 2017?

Two films this week, that's all! I didn't make the previews for these but sent a well-qualified friend along to Wimpy Kid, meaning she had kids the right age. Finally got my act together and cut the podcast from my film segment radio show on Capital Radio.If you've just landed here and you are new to my reviews, make sure you enter my competition to win a Kindle and my books.Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (not reviewed)Opened June 29I can't get my kids to any of these younger kids' movies. Well they are nearly fifteen and seventeen, so who can blame them? So I sent along my usual family film reviewers Reiko and her two boys Sean 14 and James 12. Thanks to the Hortle family for being my stand in. Here's their review ...   Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Long Haul was great. The whole cast was new but they still did a good job acting as the same old characters. The mum planned a family road trip to attend grandma's 90th with modern teenage kids without electronic gadgets, which was a disaster. Like National lampoon's Holiday movie, everything goes wrong.   This film is not really educational and didn't teach kids the importance of limiting those electric devices, however it was funny and I really enjoyed (Reiko the mom's words), especially empathizing with the mum trying her best to encourage no electric gadgets holiday for the family, which isn't easy at all.    There is no rude language and the story finished with positive meaning about family. I can recommend this as a great movie to watch for the any age groups for the coming school holiday. I rated 4 out of 5. Film BlurbIn DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL, based on the record-breaking book series, a family road trip to attend Meemaw's 90th birthday party goes hilariously off course--thanks to Greg's newest scheme to (finally!) become famous. Stars Alicia Silverstone, In the House (not reviewed)Opened June 29No review for this one as the film company didn't schedule a preview. That doesn't bode well. I see this film has the same writing team as Bad Neighbors 1 and 2 and Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates, so I think you get the picture of the type of film this is. Probably will have a few laughs, a few physical gags and you will forget it by the time you get home. However if Saturday Night Live type humor is your thing, here's your serving this week.Film BlurbAndrew J. Cohen directs this romp about a mother and father (Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler) who blow their daughter's college fund and start an illegal casino in their basement to recoup the losses. Stars Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell.FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join.

What's on at the movies 22 June 2017?

Two films this week, that's all! Quite the vehicle week.Transformers: The Last Knight ✪✪✪Opened June 22This is the Transformers fifth outing on film and I go to these previews expecting very little, that way when it's marginally better than the last film I'm happy.    You'll hear that this film's plotting makes no sense. I agree. That the special effects are amazing. I agree. That it's typical Michael Bay with over the top action. I agree. That it is not entertaining. This is where I disagree.  Yes, there isn't much to the plot and I kept wondering how these people travel around the world so quickly. In the last huge fight scene I actually couldn't work out physically where they were. One minute they're under the ocean and inside a broken space ship but there's air down there and nobody wonders why there is air when the robots don't need oxygen. Next minute they're on this planet sized spaceship thing crashing into earth but there's grass on it. Where'd the grass come from?   I don't know how I became confused. Maybe I missed something somewhere. Anyway I still had fun. Paramount gave me popcorn. I had my drink so I wasn't thirsty in the too long 2 hours 29 minutes of the film, Anthony Hopkin's is always great when he's playing it for laughs, so good.    I admire Mark Wahlberg's earnest portrayal of an inventor who doesn't seem great at inventing. None of it really made sense but we know that so we can't complain if Michael Bay delivers more of the same.    There's more coming too, with two more in production for next year and the year after. Amazing things you can do with toys these days. Look out for the Fidget Spinner film where little alien spinning things take over the world by killing and maiming people by sending their parts into their throats at breakneck speed.Film BlurbHumans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Stars Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Duhamel and lots of robots and junk.Cars 3 ✪✪✪✪ (not reviewed)Opened June 22So I couldn't make it to this film and my boys are teenagers now so they won't go see this with me. I gave the tickets to a familywho love Cars 1 and 2 because I thought they would provide more relevant feed back. Here's their review. Kinda makes me wish I'd gone.Mum and 2 sons aged 9 and 7 scored 10 out of 10! Boys are big fan of Cars 1 & 2 but they said 3 was the best of all. Firstly they loved the free doughnuts which was made as wheels and free water provided at the preview. For the story, although the new generation cars with new technology was focused in modern world, they still couldn't beat the old fashioned former legend Lighting McQueen who was nearly forced to retire but never gave up. They said whole movie was exciting and full of fun, and there are lots of positive messages for young kids like "Do your best.", "Never give up" and "Friends are always with us when needed."Well I think that tells you all you need to know Cars lovers.Film BlurbBlindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn't through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing's biggest stage! Starring voices of Owen Wilson, Kerry Washington, Bonnie Hunt, Chris Cooper, Armie Hammer.FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join.

What's on at the movies 15 June 2017?

My latest competition is Win a Kindle PaperWhite with all my books, plus other great prizes. Get entering people.Despicable Me 3 ✪✪✪½ Opened June 15Okay, I was gonna love this film no matter what because I'm a huge Minions and Steve Carrell fan. This is really the fourth film in the franchise, as we had Minions in 2015.Kudos to the screenwriters for coming up with a bit of a twist with Gru discovering he has a twin brother, who is attempting to carry on with the family business but needs a little help.Add an absolutely brilliant soundtrack filled with disco tunes, since the villain is a former 80's child star and you have a winning formula. That's my only complaint in that it is a formula, and now at film three or four we've pretty much seen it all before. This reminds me of the Ice Age franchise, which did well to maintain some freshness and smarts but became long in the tooth (if you'll excuse my mammoth pun).Still the kids will love it and I'm sure and parents won't be bored. Three and a half bananas from me. Film BlurbIllumination, who brought audiences Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the adventures of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters-Margo, Edith and Agnes-and the Minions in Despicable Me 3. Joining Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig in Despicable Me 3 is Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award winner Trey Parker, co-creator of Comedy Central's global phenomenon South Park and the Broadway smash The Book of Mormon. Parker voices the role of villain Balthazar Bratt, a former child star who's grown up to become obsessedwith the character he played in the '80s, and proves to be Gru's most formidable nemesis to date..​Rough Night ✪✪½Opened June 15Most of the stars I've given this film are for Scarlett Johansson and Kate McKinnon. They put up a good fight in trying to do their best with poor material.    Kate McKinnon plays an Australia best buddy in this, and I enjoyed listening to her American pretends to be an Aussie view on America. My friend just found her accent annoying and lame.   I have to credit the summing up of this film to my friend when she said that it feels like a bunch of comedy ideas thrown on a table and nobody thought about them hard enough to make them work. There are story lines that just dumb with Johansson's on-screen husband wearing a diaper so he can drive overnight to Miami to win back his fiancé. Every scene of that fell flat and was kinda embarrassing actually.  There's a couple of funny bits but really this is another low-brow film with an A list actress and Saturday night live stars and script writers. Certainly not the worst film I saw this week but I think I should have spent the night in. A chic flick unless you want to torture your boyfriend/husband.Film BlurbIn Rough Night, an edgy R-rated comedy, five best friends from college (played by Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer, and Zoë Kravitz) reunite 10 years later for a wild bachelorette weekend in Miami. Their hard partying takes a hilariously dark turn when they accidentally kill a male stripper. Amidst the craziness of trying to cover it up, they're ultimately brought closer together when it matters most.The Promise ✪✪ Opened June 17If you caught this on TV in the eighties or the nineties as a mini-series you would have thought, 'Oh well, there's not much else on TV and I might learn some interesting history.' In 2017, paying to see this longish, boorish, jammed with far too much in its 2 hrs and 13 minutes film is not an entertaining experience. Slightly enlightening if you manage to stay awake. Before seeing this I had no idea of the plight of the Armenians in WW1 and the genocide of this people by the Turkish Government before the Jewish Holocaust.  This film is jam packed with star power but they trudge through their scenes with overly dramatic portrayals. Yes, it is a drama but there's normal behavior and then there's this affected quagmire of emotions. The only one who doesn't overplay is Christian Bale as the American journalist who runs around in war time wearing a white suit when all foreigners are looked upon with suspicion. He's just dull and duller in his role.This film holds much promise but doesn't deliver. I bet a fair few reviewers will use the same play on words. Film BlurbEmpires fall, love survives. When Michael (Oscar Isaac), a brilliant medical student, meets Ana (Charlotte Le Bon), their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between Michael and Ana's boyfriend Chris (Christian Bale), a famous American photojournalist dedicated to exposing political truth. As the Ottoman Empire crumbles into war-torn chaos, their conflicting passions must be deferred while they join forces to get their people to safety and survive themselves. The Promise is directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Terry George, director of Hotel Rwanda.FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join.

What's on at the movies 8 June 2017?

My latest competition is Win a Kindle PaperWhite with all my books, plus other great prizes. Get entering people.The Mummy ✪✪½ Opened June 8I love these big popcorn movies and this one has Tom Cruise who has always been smart in his film role choices. Normally I wouldn't be holding my breath for Mummy film though, but with Tom Cruise I figured it's going to be one heck of a ride. Add in Russell Crowe and how can you possibly go wrong?  Well I'll tell you ... the script and director.  The director of this Alex Kurtzman also directed one of the worst super-hero reboots of all time with The Amazing Spiderman 2. He's either written the screenplay or been involved in some not-so-greats that could have been great in more capable hands. Cowboys vs Aliens anyone? So I imagine Kurtzman to be the major culprit here. Lots of moving parts with nothing quite meshing and I think Tom only brought his B game.This is not a terrible film but the glimpses of what could have been a great film are frustrating. Tom Cruise throws all his boyish charm at this, but it felt as though they weren't sure where to go with the story. Is it campy and fun like Knight and Day? Is it meant to be scary like Walking Dead? Is it meant to be a chase thriller? Is it a disaster movie with London being destroyed by sand? Is there a weird love story going on here? Is this a remake of American Werewolf In London? Did they even mean to steal so many ideas from so many other films, so you feel as though you've seen it all before?    Honestly I don't know and it feels as though neither did the director.   The Mummy is a mess and the only scary thing about the film is that it is the beginning of another franchise using the realms of the Dark Universe. We've got Van Helsing, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein to eagerly not anticipate, if this is an example of the quality of character and storytelling. I will say one thing though French actress Sofia Boutella looks great in bandages. Some excellent ideas for dress up here. Film BlurbTom Cruise headlines a spectacular, all-new cinematic version of the legend that has fascinated cultures all over the world since the dawn of civilization: The Mummy. Thought safely entombed in a tomb deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient princess (Sofia Boutella of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Star Trek Beyond) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension. From the sweeping sands of the Middle East through hidden labyrinths under modern-day London, The Mummy brings a surprising intensity and balance of wonder and thrills in an imaginative new take that ushers in a new world of gods and monsters. Cruise is joined by a cast including Annabelle Wallis(upcoming King Arthur, television's Peaky Blinders), Jake Johnson (Jurassic World), Courtney B. Vance(TV's American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson) and Oscar (R) winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator). The creative team on this action-adventure event is led by director/producer Alex Kurtzman and producer Chris Morgan, who have been instrumental in growing some of the most successful franchises of the past several years-with Kurtzman writing or producing entries in the Transformers, Star Trek and Mission: Impossible series, and Morgan being the narrative engineer of the Fast & Furious saga as it has experienced explosive growth from its third chapter on. Sean Daniel, who produced the most recent Mummy trilogy, produces alongside Kurtzman and Morgan.​My Cousin Rachel ✪✪✪✪ Opened June 8Daphne Du Maurier is one of my favorite authors and I've read Rebecca half a dozen times. I've also read My Cousin Rachel and it is trademark Du Maurier. Everything is not what it seems is this author's forte.    Roger Michell wrote the adaptation and directed and he's done a fine job. This film is just beautiful to look at and divine to experience. Michell has also directed one of my favorite films Notting Hill.He has a great eye for framing a shot, so there are many beautiful scenes in this period piece.    Sam Claflin and Rachel Weisz are great casting for their roles. My Cousin Rachel will keep you guessing all the way through and create quite the debate afterward about what is true and what isn't. I hope they remake Rebecca.Film BlurbA dark romance, MY COUSIN RACHEL tells the story of a young Englishman who plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms. Starring Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Holliday Grainger, Iain Glen, Pierfrancesco Favino,and Andrew Knott.Churchill ✪✪✪Opened June 8Churchill should have been a rousing, inspirational piece on a man who is considered one of the greatest leaders, if not the greatest leader of the last century. This film suffers from the same issue as The Iron Lady, which won Meryl Streep another Oscar. The screenwriters and director decided to focus on the doddery, broken down side of the human being and not their strengths.  Churchill is portrayed as a depressed old man, to whom nobody listens, with a wife that badgers him and is on the point of abandoning their marriage. The film offers little relief to the misery endured by Churchill or those around him.  Yes, there's a couple of great speeches and the eventual re-enactment of that great D-Day speech delivered by Churchill, which inspired a nation. However, this is no King's Speech, although it tries very hard to be.  If it were released later in the  year I would say Churchill would get a nod at the various awards for Brian Cox and also set and costume design. Not terrible, just not fabulous or terribly engaging, and in my opinion about thirty minutes too long. Might be proof that depression is contagious. I didn't feel so happy when I left the cinema.Film BlurbTensions mount for the beleaguered British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Brian Cox) in the days leading up to infamous Allied D-Day landings in Normandy, France in June, 1944. Fearful of repeating his deadly mistakes from World War I in the Battle of Gallipoli, exhausted by years of war, plagued by depression and obsessed with his historical destiny, Churchill is reluctant to embark on the large-scale campaign, one that the entire war effort hinges upon. Clashing with his Allied political opponents U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower (John Slattery) and British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery (Julian Wadham), the troubled Churchill receives support and devotion from his wife, the brilliant and unflappable Clementine Churchill (Miranda Richardson). With her strength and shrewdness, "Clemmie" halts Winston's physical, mental spiritual collapse and inspires him on to greatness.FREE BOOKSBy the way, if you are not a member of my Gang newsletter, then you should jump in now because my newsletter subscribers are the first to know about all the giveaways and news, plus you will receive these free books as a Susan may Starter LibraryClick or tap the button to join.